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Cyprus sees roughly 4,260 new cancer diagnoses each year and about 1,600 cancer-related deaths annually, according to figures from the Health Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of Health.
The statistics were shared on Friday by Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides during the 2nd Pancyprian Oncology Congress. He said that from 2018 to 2022, the country recorded an average of 4,260 new cancer cases per year. For the period 2019 to 2023, the annual average number of deaths linked to cancer stood at around 1,600.
Charalambides also highlighted cancer’s growing impact on public health. In 2023, cancer ranked as the second leading cause of death in Cyprus overall, accounting for 23% of deaths, slightly behind cardiovascular diseases at 24%. Among men, however, cancer was the top cause of death, responsible for 26%, with cardiovascular conditions following at 24%.
Looking beyond Cyprus, the minister referenced international projections suggesting that global cancer cases could surpass 35 million annually by 2050. This would represent a 77% rise compared with 2022 levels, driven by aging populations, population growth, and shifts in lifestyle and environmental risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, and air pollution.
He stressed that these trends make it essential for governments to strengthen prevention efforts, expand screening and early diagnosis, improve access to advanced therapies, and ensure full support for patients throughout treatment.
According to Charalambides, Cyprus is already running screening programs aimed at early detection of breast and colorectal cancer, while additional programs for prostate and cervical cancer are being prepared. He also noted that the national HPV vaccination initiative for both girls and boys is currently in progress.
On the policy front, the minister said the government has submitted a Palliative Care Bill to Parliament, designed to guarantee safe, dignified, and high-quality care for people living with severe illnesses. He added that plans are also moving forward for the creation of a National Cancer Institute, intended to strengthen coordination and improve the state’s overall response to cancer.
